Brazil seeks to join OECD despite political crisis -sources

Reuters Staff

2 Min Read

BRASILIA, May 30 (Reuters) - Brazilian President Michel Temer on Tuesday sent a formal request to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) despite a corruption scandal that threatens to unseat him, two government sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

In April, Reuters reported that Temer was about to decide to join the 35-member Paris-based group, his latest effort to strengthen ties with Western developed nations after previous Brazilian governments prioritized relations with developing peers.

Temer hopes OECD membership would help attract foreign investment to an economy still struggling to pull out of its worst recession, the two government sources said.

Temer is trying to convince investors he will move ahead with business-friendly reforms despite pressure for him to step down amid accusations he received bribes from the owners of the world's biggest meatpacker, JBS SA.

Although his coalition in Congress has not abandoned his center-right administration, Temer's reform agenda, which included pension and labor legislation, has lost momentum since the scandal broke on May 17.

A final decision on membership, which could take years, hinges on a review of the entry requirements that could mean legislative changes to comply with OECD tax and transparency rules. One of the officials said the government expects to gain membership in no more than three years.

An OECD press official could not be immediately contacted for comment.

The Finance Ministry and Temer's office did not reply to requests for comment. (Reporting by Alonso Soto' editing by Grant McCool)